It is not easy to be an Israeli today. They are faced with threats of terror, taunted by unyielding and unjust condemnation from the international community, yet the country continues to grow. So do its institutions.

The Weizmann Institute has grown into a great center of research, learning and advancement for all mankind. It was founded in 1934 on the unshakable belief by Haim Weizmann that a free and democratic state would need a research center as good as and as path-breaking as any in the world.

My partners and I have been in the newspaper business for 35 years. What began with a small newspaper in Sherbrooke, Quebec, has led to the ownership of such titles as the Daily Telegraph in London, the Ottawa Citizen and the Vancouver Sun and Province. We are also the owners of the Jerusalem Post and the bi-weekly magazine, the Jerusalem Report. While the Post is not our largest newspaper, I suspect I would not be standing before you today had it not been for the purchase of that
newspaper in 1988.

At the time of the purchase, I made the statement that this was a purely economic decision and that we would be no more emotionally attached to the Jerusalem Post than we would be had we purchased the South China Morning Post newspaper in Hong Kong. Of course, this proved not to be
true.

We support President Bush's war on terror. We, therefore, support Israel's war on terror.

Conditions in the Middle East have deteriorated since 1988, and we, along with other publishers, have been forced to make choices.

We support President Bush's war on terror. We, therefore, support Israel's war on terror.

In Europe, the Middle East conflict is framed as a colonial affair, which depicts Israel as a heartless bully and the Palestinians as innocent victims. This view is widely embraced by the European left, which has romanticized Yasser Arafat as a Third World freedom fighter. In the United States, this depiction is not nearly as prejudiced.

Among American media, the Mideast is often portrayed as a contest between two sides whose passions are excessively inflamed but ultimately whose behavior is morally equivalent. Columnist George Jonas wrote in the Ottawa Citizen, "To be impartial between tyranny and democracy the better to protect human rights is like being impartial between wood and
copper the better to conduct electricity. In plain words, it's
nonsense."

This position can be clearly depicted in the news and opinion pages of another Chicago daily newspaper. In an effort to create a balance in covering the Middle East, the public editor of this other Chicago newspaper has, among other things, described Ariel Sharon as responsible for the Sabra and Shatila massacres. He also stated that President Bush was overly concerned about the multimillion-dollar, 50-ton arms shipment from Iran that the Israelis intercepted at sea.

Our Chicago newspaper, the Sun-Times, has been clear and unambiguous. We recognize that Israel has made numerous offers of territorial and economic concessions to achieve peace. Not only have those offers been rejected, but the concessions have likely succeeded in enhancing terror.

Israel and the United States are on the front lines of the war on terror for the same reasons. Both are free and both are democratic. Professor Bernard Lewis wrote in his most recent book, Islam: What Went Wrong:

"It is precisely the lack of freedom -- freedom of the mind from
constraint and indoctrination, to question and inquire and speak;
freedom of the economy from corrupt and pervasive mismanagement; freedom
of women from male oppression; freedom of citizens from tyranny. . . ."

While the military leadership of these countries robbed the people, they generated among the population a sense of humiliation. They also required an enemy. You need an enemy to justify a large military presence as well as to deflect the criticism of your own hijacking of the economy.

The best example of the requirement for military expenditures is the continuation, in Syria, of the Assad regimes, both father and son. They could settle with Israel tomorrow but recognize that there would be a downside to settlement as a result of the inevitable reduction of the
military requirements. These rulers are propped up by their military. The Palestinian Authority is a brutal dictatorship and perhaps one of the most financially corrupt regimes in the world. It has not lived up to any of its obligations under the Oslo agreement, including removing the anti-Israel clauses in the Palestine National Charter. They have persuaded young people that a glorious eternity awaits them if they manage to murder Israelis while blowing themselves up.

Marwan Barghouti, head of Fatah-Tanzim, about to go to trial in Israel and who, according to Israelis, led, ran and set in operation terrorist actions against the State of Israel along with his field commanders, was questioned in the New Yorker magazine on July 9, 2001, and was asked: "And if you get 100 percent? Will that end the conflict?"

Barghouti smiled, and then said something impolitic for a Fatah man:

"Then we could talk about bigger things."

Such as?

"I've always thought that a good idea would be one state for all the peoples."

A secular democratic Palestine?

"We can call it something else."

The late Faisal Husseini, as reported June 24, 2001, by Al-Arabi in Egypt, said: "Had the U.S. and Israel realized, before Oslo, that all that was left of the Palestinian National movement and the Pan-Arab movement was a wooden horse called Arafat or the PLO, they would never have opened their fortified gates and let it inside their walls." He
also stated: "The Oslo agreement, or any other agreement, is just a temporary procedure, or just a step towards something bigger. ... We distinguish the strategic, long-term goals from the political phased goals, which we are compelled to temporarily accept due to international pressure. ... [Palestine] according to the higher strategy [is]: 'from the river to the sea.' "

The leaders of the so-called friendly nations, Jordan, Egypt and Saudi Arabia, refer to the difficulties of controlling "the Arab street." Are we to believe that the dictators in these countries, who have successfully repressed even the most mild opposition to their continued existence, have suddenly become so fearful of the "street"?

Are we to believe that spontaneous demonstrations by the "street" are possible in repressed Arab countries? For these countries, the "street" is nothing but a useful tool -- a tool to influence the West but mainly a tool to distract their own citizens from their own failure
in statecraft.

One of the so-called moderate states is Egypt. The country receives $2 billion per year in American aid. When Secretary of State Colin Powell visited the Middle East in April, Hosni Mubarak snubbed the secretary, refusing to meet with him when Powell could not bring an early end to Operation Defensive Shield.

Mubarak has also expressed dissatisfaction against the United States' plan to move against Sadam Hussein. While claiming to be a country that accepts Israel, the Egyptian embassy in Tel Aviv has been leaderless since November 2000. Mubarak has made the cold peace even colder.

In April of this year, Egypt said it was downgrading cultural and commercial contacts with Israel, and Mubarak continues to allow the state-run Egyptian media to incite against Israel.

Egyptian doctors have refused to treat Israeli embassy personnel, thus necessitating the government of Israel to fly doctors to Cairo. This is not a moderate position. Notwithstanding his anti-Israel posturing, Islamic fundamentalists have not warmed up to Mubarak.

In a press release on the Islamic Web site, Al-Muhajiroun, dated June 4, 2002, the U.K. branch called for "the immediate removal of Hosni Mubarak and his execution for his crimes against Muslims in particular and the civilian population in Egypt generally." Moderation may have its price in that part of the world.

Syria has never made claims to moderation. In July, among the visitors to Damascus was Kim Yong-nam, president of North Korea's Supreme Peoples Assembly Presidium. Just before Kim arrived in Damascus, Assad was hosting Ayatollah Mahmoud, Hashemi Shahroudi, head of the judiciary in Iran, and a prominent anti-Khatami hard-liner. These visits coincide
with other exchange visits with Cuba, Iraq and Sudan. One suspects that the common chord between these countries is simply where there is a problem, blame America.

On Aug. 1, United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan released a report on Israel's military operation in Jenin and other West Bank cities and found no evidence to support Palestinian allegations of a massacre. At a General Assembly Emergency Special Session on Aug. 5, delegates debated
Annan's report and Israel's alleged war crimes against the Palestinians. The report itself, which wasn't favorable to the big lie, was described by various diplomats as follows:

*Palestinian Ambassador to the UN Nasser al-Kidwa: "The notion that the report confirmed that no massacre had been committed was simply not correct."

*Kuwaiti Ambassador Mohammed Abulhasan described Jenin as "the atrocious events in Jenin against an unarmed, innocent people using their legitimate right to resist occupation." And called Israel's actions "the massacre which has caused the whole world to tremble."

The Sun-Times finds no moral equivalence between soldiers who protect the innocent and suicide bombers who murder them.

Needless to say, a resolution that questions the validity of favorable treatment to Israel in Annan's report managed to pass 114-4, including all members of the European Union. The anti-Israeli tally of 114 might have been higher if at least 25 countries had paid their dues.

The Chicago Sun-Times clearly and proudly affirms its unambiguous faith in freedom and democracy. The Sun-Times finds no moral equivalence between soldiers who protect the innocent and suicide bombers who murder them.

We are also clear that Hamas, Islamic Jihad and Fatah-Tanzim are terrorists, not militants. Militants don't bomb campuses -- terrorists bomb campuses. Militants don't explode buses -- terrorists explode buses. Militants don't open fire at weddings, bar mitzvahs and Seder celebrations -- terrorists do. When terrorists kill civilians in Israel, we have no problem labeling them the same as we label the al-Qaida
terrorists of Sept. 11.

Through different owners and different leaders, the Chicago Sun-Times has stood tall with the State of Israel and the Weizmann Institute. This is a legacy that will never, never change.

Visitor Comments: 9

Thank you for standing-up for Isreal and what is clearly right. The hostile press that Isreal gets, especially outside the US, is troubling.

(8)
Elaine Hensley,
January 9, 2003 12:00 AM

TRUTH in media, what a refreshing change !!

My very wise grandmother, always taught us to, "Tell the TRUTH, and SHAME the devil." I have always found this to be a very simplistic, and yet POWERFULLY PROFOUND statement. In today's world, it has become fashionable to fight for the preservation of endangered species, historic landmarks, films, and the very preservation of the planet itself. Why is it then, that with all of our zealous concerns for the protection of these varied interests, so few have taken the time to consider the near extinction of TRUTH in today's society. This phenominon, while prevelant in most aspects of our culture worldwide, is most easily recognized in the media, where it has become a prevasive threat. The accurate reporting of facts, as they pertain to current world events, has always ideally been, and should forever be viewed as a sacred trust. Having said all this, I would like to state that the continued bias of the world medias, at large, pertaining to recent events in the Middle-East, leaves me saddened, and deeply troubled as to our future. Have we arrived at a time when TRUTH is no longer TRUTH, but rather has become relative to popular or political proponents of the hour? The TRUTH is, Israel is the only true democracy, in the Middle-East. The Truth is, Israel has the same right to exist as all other soveriegn nations do, and the right to protect herself from those that willfully seek her aniallation. The TRUTH is, the world media at large, has presented a biased Pro-Palestinian view of the current conflict. The TRUTH is, Israel has made countless cnncessions on behalf of the Peace Process, while receiving only empty promises in return. The TRUTH is, PLO Chairman Arafat has on numerous occasions, stated, in Arabic, to his fellow Palestinians and to his supportive allies in other surrounding Arab nations, the PLO's true agenda, which, as I stated earlier, is the total destruction of the State of Israel. The TRUTH is, suicide-bombers who kill innocent civilians, are murderers. The TRUTH is, other Arab nations in the region, including those which profess to be moderate are, in many cases, in fact, supporting these various terrorist organizations. The TRUTH is, Chairman Arafat's first goal, is a Palestinian state. His next goal is Jerusalem, as the capitol of this new Palestinian state. After obtaining these first two objectives, he would then proceed to his true agenda, which again stated is the complete destruction of the State of Israel. The TRUTH is, land for peace, will never work. Continued appeasement will only result in GREATER, and GREATER demands for MORE, until simply stated, there will be nothing left to give. The TRUTH is, if the establishment of a Palestinian state were the desired goal, that could have been realized numerous times in past proposals brought to the table by Israel, but this has not been realized because it has never been the true agenda. The true agenda is not about dividing the land rightly between two states, but rather the complete take-over of an existing Democratic State, by terrorist-extremeists, who will stop at nothing, to achieve their goals. The TRUTH is, Israel stands as a BEACON of DEMOCRACY and FREEDOM, in a predominately TYRANICAL region where terrorism is promoted as the most effective means to a desired end, where women are exploited, and treated little better than animals, where children are used to draw fire,for the purposes of propaganda, and where any views held contrary to the extremists' views are often illegal, and in most cases may result in the death penalty. The TRUTH is, Israel is currently in a struggle for her very existence. Israel has been and even now is the victim of a world media which has failed, in most cases, to present the TRUTH concerning the current situation in the Middle-East. The TRUTH is, Israel is as much a victim, of terrorist attacts against her civilian population as was America on September 11, in fact, though tradgic, 9/11, was a single horrific event, whereas Israel must face this fear and uncertainty daily. Indiscriminate acts of violent assault, are perpetrated agaist Israeli citizens almost daily. The TRUTH is, the media must be ethical in their presentation of the facts to the public. The public deserves to be presented with the TRUTH. If it is that we have become afraid to report the TRUTH, because of FEAR of retribution from these terrorist groups, then I am afraid we may have already allowed the terrorists, to win. In conclusion, the TRUTH is, Israel needs our support right now, and the TRUTH is, if we do not want Truth to become extinct, we had better speak TRUTH and stand WITH those who do. Shalom

(7)
Jeffrey A. Pomykala,
November 24, 2002 12:00 AM

Tribune vs Sun-times

As a Chicagoland suburbanite as well as one interested in as much news as possible from many sources, I have weighed my position on which paper to read based on having subscribed to both the Chicago Tribune as well as the Sun-Times at different points in my life. I found the Sun-Times to be the most fair and accurate, attempting to have columns and articles by all sides of the political/life spectrum, from extremist liberal to overly-conservative. The Tribune, on the other hand, pretty much espoused only the liberal and extremist liberal perpectives, and that, I found, I couldn't tolerate, since they are so intolerant of conservative views. A newspaper should be balanced and unbiased ~ and that is exactly what the Sun-Times is, with articles from liberals and conservatives alike. Kudos and many thanks to them, that they have the courage and journalistic integrity to rise above the politically correct "truth" and simply write The Truth - from all sides of the political spectrum.

May there be true peace in Israel...soon.

(6)
Robin Das,
November 4, 2002 12:00 AM

we need more support from the media.

The BBC are particulars in being biased for any islamic cause. why if 'jews are suppose to be running everything' being hate targeted. And why is it such 'daring' reporters interogate isreali representatives but fail to ask crucial questions of the arabs in fear of Political correctness.

(5)
Anonymous,
October 24, 2002 12:00 AM

Correction

F. David Radler is Chairman of the Board of Directors (not Publisher) of the Jerusalem Post. Thomas A. Rose is the Publisher of the Jerusalem Post.

(4)
Sandra Rutkowski,
October 22, 2002 12:00 AM

THANK YOU

I wish you would start a local news publication in Birmingham.

(3)
Catherine,
October 21, 2002 12:00 AM

Great Article

I appreciate the Sun Times stand, and the moral courage and clarity this editorial procaims.

(2)
Yochanna,
October 21, 2002 12:00 AM

How wonderful!

Roni, roni, bat Zion! How wonderful to finally hear someone in such a position standing up for the people of G-d!

I live in rural Montana where the Cholov Yisrael milk is difficult to obtain and very expensive. So I drink regular milk. What is your view on this?

The Aish Rabbi Replies:

Jewish law requires that there be rabbinic supervision during the milking process to ensure that the milk comes from a kosher animal. In the United States, many people rely on the Department of Agriculture's regulations and controls as sufficiently stringent to fulfill the rabbinic requirement for supervision.

Most of the major Kashrut organizations in the United States rely on this as well. You will therefore find many kosher products in America certified with a 'D' next to the kosher symbol. Such products – unless otherwise specified on the label – are not Cholov Yisrael and are assumed kosher based on the DOA's guarantee.

There are many, however, do not rely on this, and will eat only dairy products that are designated as Cholov Yisrael (literally, "Jewish milk"). This is particularly true in large Jewish communities, where Cholov Yisrael is widely available.

Rabbi Moshe Feinstein wrote that under limited conditions, such as an institution which consumes a lot of milk and Cholov Yisrael is generally unavailable or especially expensive, American milk is acceptable, as the government supervision is adequate to prevent non-kosher ingredients from being added.

It should be added that the above only applies to milk itself, which is marketed as pure cow's milk. All other dairy products, such as cheeses and butter, may contain non-kosher ingredients and always require kosher certification. In addition, Rabbi Feinstein's ruling applies only in the United States, where government regulations are considered reliable. In other parts of the world, including Europe, Cholov Yisrael is a requirement.

There are additional esoteric reasons for being stringent regarding Cholov Yisrael, and because of this it is generally advisable to consume only Cholov Yisroel dairy foods.

In 1889, 800 Jews arrived in Buenos Aires, marking the birth of the modern Jewish community in Argentina. These immigrants were fleeing poverty and pogroms in Russia, and moved to Argentina because of its open door policy of immigration. By 1920, more than 150,000 Jews were living in Argentina. Juan Peron's rise to power in 1946 was an ominous sign, as he was a Nazi sympathizer with fascist leanings. Peron halted Jewish immigration to Argentina, introduced mandatory Catholic religious instruction in public schools, and allowed Argentina to become a haven for fleeing Nazis. (In 1960, Israeli agents abducted Adolf Eichmann from a Buenos Aires suburb.) Today, Argentina has the largest Jewish community in Latin America with 250,000, though terror attacks have prompted many young people to emigrate. In 1992, the Israeli Embassy in Buenos Aires was bombed, killing 32 people. In 1994, the Jewish community headquarters in Buenos Aires was bombed, killing 85 people. The perpetrators have never been apprehended.

Be aware of what situations and behaviors give you pleasure. When you feel excessively sad and cannot change your attitude, make a conscious effort to take some action that might alleviate your sadness.

If you anticipate feeling sad, prepare a list of things that might make you feel better. It could be talking to a specific enthusiastic individual, running, taking a walk in a quiet area, looking at pictures of family, listening to music, or reading inspiring words.

While our attitude is a major factor in sadness, lack of positive external situations and events play an important role in how we feel.

[If a criminal has been executed by hanging] his body may not remain suspended overnight ... because it is an insult to God (Deuteronomy 21:23).

Rashi explains that since man was created in the image of God, anything that disparages man is disparaging God as well.

Chilul Hashem, bringing disgrace to the Divine Name, is one of the greatest sins in the Torah. The opposite of chilul Hashem is kiddush Hashem, sanctifying the Divine Name. While this topic has several dimensions to it, there is a living kiddush Hashem which occurs when a Jew behaves in a manner that merits the respect and admiration of other people, who thereby respect the Torah of Israel.

What is chilul Hashem? One Talmudic author stated, "It is when I buy meat from the butcher and delay paying him" (Yoma 86a). To cause someone to say that a Torah scholar is anything less than scrupulous in meeting his obligations is to cause people to lose respect for the Torah.

Suppose someone offers us a business deal of questionable legality. Is the personal gain worth the possible dishonor that we bring not only upon ourselves, but on our nation? If our personal reputation is ours to handle in whatever way we please, shouldn't we handle the reputation of our nation and the God we represent with maximum care?

Jews have given so much, even their lives, for kiddush Hashem. Can we not forego a few dollars to avoid chilul Hashem?

Today I shall...

be scrupulous in all my transactions and relationships to avoid the possibility of bringing dishonor to my God and people.

With stories and insights,
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